© Courier/Juerg Christandl
After ex-governor Erwin Proell criticized Sebastian Kurz in the “Krone” newspaper, party friend Hörl also came forward.
Sebastian Kurz loses one of his biggest supporters: the former NÖ-LH Erwin Proell recommended the ex-Chancellor via Krone a “clear withdrawal” from politics. “Half pregnant” does not exist in politics, he said, but at the same time spoke out in favor of a coalition with the SPÖ in the federal government. Andreas Khol went to Kurz’ defense. ÖVP member of parliament Franz Hörl sharply attacked Proell, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) tried to calm down.
When asked about a report according to which ÖVP party members said the former chancellor should finally say goodbye to politics, Proell said: “It’s just hop or drop. I have decided on a clear retreat and can only recommend everyone to show interest to withdraw completely from the respective community of opinion.” This applies to everyone – including Kurz.
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praise for the chancellor
At the same time, Proell himself commented on daily politics. “I wish that Karl Nehammer would continue to lead the republic after the National Council elections. He is predictable and gives security in these difficult times. His performance is getting better and better,” he said. And with regard to a possible coalition after the election, the ex-governor told the current party leader: “I would like a grand coalition with the SPÖ.”
Kurz himself did not comment on Proell’s statements for the time being, but sent another party leader into the match: “I would like to take Proell at his word,” countered the former President of the National Council, Andreas Khol, in an interview with APA. Proll’s comments are superfluous. “Half pregnant does not exist – that applies to him as well as to me.” The former governor himself should also heed another piece of advice: “Advice is a blow.”
Hörl: Briefly successful, Proll not
Meanwhile, the eloquent ÖVP member of the National Council and head of the Tyrolean Economic Association, Franz Hörl, also spoke up. He attacked Proll sharply. “There is no need for Proell to criticize Mikl Leitner or Kurz,” Hörl told APA. Apparently, according to Radlbrunn (Proell’s place of residence, note), “it was not discussed that Sebastian Kurz left politics a year and a half ago”. “In contrast to Proell, who has an office at taxpayer expense and is a full-time would-be shadow governor, Kurz is a successful entrepreneur and creates jobs,” Hörl attacked the party friend and former governor head-on.
Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer also spoke up, but tried to calm down. “I appreciate both very much,” he said when asked by journalists. Proell was his most important teacher when it came to politics, and he also values him as an adviser. Kurz, in turn, was one of the most successful federal party leaders of the ÖVP. “He has withdrawn from political life,” said Nehammer. What Kurz does is his right: “To defend himself if he is attacked – and that’s really all.”
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